Martin - the 21-year-old Wales international, who joined the Men of Gwent on loan from Cardiff over the summer - sees his competition with Wainwright as an opportunity rather than a roadblock.
"It's not easy (competing) with 'Waino' but we have a good relationship and have done a couple of Wales camps together," says Martin.
"We know our strengths and weaknesses and have to compete with each other, but that just makes us both and the squad better.
"Waino can play across the back row and I can play six or eight, so I am sure they can work us both in if they want to.
That theory could be put to an early test when the Dragons start their BKT United Rugby Championship campaign away to Ulster on Friday night.
"After the season I had, I just want to play,” says Martin.
“Of course, I want to start as many games as I can, but I am not stressing.
"I am just happy to be in a good environment. That's all I can ask for and the games will come as long as I stay fit and train well."
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That hope of opportunity stands in contrast to Martin’s final months at Cardiff, where game time was scarce.
He played just six professional matches last season, all as a replacement, and often found himself deployed out of position at lock for Cardiff RFC in the semi-pro Super Rygbi Cymru.
His last senior appearance came off the bench against the Sharks in January, while his most recent start in blue and black was as far back as May 2024 against the Lions.
"The lack of game time and people out of position playing ahead of me was tough to take, so I just thought I needed new ideas, fresh faces," he admitted.
"They don't see me as an academy prospect here, they just see me as another one of the players and that's what I wanted."
Martin’s decision to look elsewhere was sealed when Cardiff extended the contract of Taulupe Faletau.
"Toby [Faletau] is the 'GOAT' [greatest of all time] and I would have done the same thing and re-signed him if I was Cardiff," Martin said.
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With Faletau and others ahead of him, the Ely-born forward needed a new challenge.
It came in the form of Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia, himself a former international back row.
Tiatia’s pursuit of Martin convinced the young forward to swap the capital for Rodney Parade.
"Filo really wanted me at the club and I just wanted game time," Martin explains.
"He said that he could offer me that as long as I train well.
"As long as I can stay fit, hopefully I will get game time, but I know that there are a lot of excellent back rows here. I want to work my way into the squad and keep myself there."
The move has already brought rewards. After pre-season wins over Hartpury and Scarlets, Martin says he feels reinvigorated by his surroundings.
"The vibes are great," he says.
"There has been change, a big turnover and the environment is amazing, which will help us grow whether through wins or performances.
"I know it was only pre-season, but we went two from two and that's better than losing games. We are on the right trajectory, I am happy to be here."
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For Martin, being “wanted” has proved appealing.
"I am just happy to be in a good environment where they respect me and want me here," he says.
"That's all I can ask for and the games will come as long as I stay fit and train well."
It is not only the faith of his coach that is lifting him, but also the chance to rekindle his partnership with Wainwright.
The pair won all five of Martin’s caps together for Wales in 2024, and he is optimistic they can now form a formidable tandem for Dragons.
The Men of Gwent, who endured a miserable 2024-25 season with just one win in the URC and another in the Challenge Cup, are banking on new energy to spark improvement.
Martin even has an eye on a possible reunion with Cardiff in October.
"I'm not sure if I am allowed to play, I hope that I can. It'd be good to play against some of my friends," he says.
"I love all the boys – grew up with some of them from 15 – but if I got the opportunity to run over them then that'd be fun!"
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